Philadelphia, PA vs Boston, MA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Philadelphia is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Boston are 10.1% higher, and housing prices differ the most (106.3 in Philadelphia vs 155.3 in Boston). A single adult's modelled budget is $2,782 a month in Philadelphia and $3,718 in Boston.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 101.5 | 111.8 |
| BEA index for the area | 102.6 | 108.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 106.3 | 155.3 |
| Goods | 96.8 | 99.7 |
| Utilities | 114.4 | 148.8 |
| Other services | 103.1 | 103.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $2,782 | $3,718 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $4,477 | $5,536 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $5,279 | $6,405 |
| Median gross rent | $1,397 | $2,147 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,242 | $2,012 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,471 | $2,248 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $1,492 | $2,281 |
| Median home value | $243,100 | $731,700 |
| Median household income | $61,953 | $97,344 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 31.4% | 30.6% |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.9× | 7.5× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 21.77 | 30.48 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.23 † | $4.10 |
| Population | 1,579,706 | 666,442 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.5, Housing (rents) 106.3, Goods 96.8, Utilities 114.4, Other services 103.1
Boston, MA
Boston price index by category, US average = 100: All items 111.8, Housing (rents) 155.3, Goods 99.7, Utilities 148.8, Other services 103.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Philadelphia | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,252 | $2,107 | +$855 |
| Utilities | $582 | $703 | +$121 |
| Food at home | $719 | $740 | +$21 |
| Transportation | $1,682 | $1,799 | +$117 |
| Health care | $626 | $629 | +$3 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $418 | $427 | +$9 |
| Total | $5,279 | $6,405 | +$1,126 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Boston more expensive than Philadelphia?
Yes. Overall prices in Boston, MA (index 111.8) are 10.1% higher than in Philadelphia, PA (index 101.5), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 155.3 vs 106.3.
What salary do I need in Boston to match $60,000 in Philadelphia?
About $66,100. Going the other way, $60,000 in Boston buys about as much as $54,500 in Philadelphia. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Philadelphia or Boston?
Median gross rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $2,147 in Boston (+53.7% in Boston; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $243,100 and $731,700.
Notes
- Philadelphia: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources